Nashville Predators: One goal is all it took for a season to end

 With excitement building, the Nashville Predators took the ice in hope of extending their season. For two periods, it was scoreless. Then, one goal.

The atmosphere was electric as Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final started in Nashville. Faith Hill provided a great National Anthem, and her husband, Tim McGraw revved up the crowd with a vibrant towel wave. The fans were ready for the puck to drop. The game did not disappoint.

An instant classic, or so say the announcers of the game. But, at the end, the Stanley Cup was won, leaving Nashville for good this year.

Hard start

We knew that the Nashville Predators we going to come out aggressive, but they took it to a new level. After one period, the hit disparity was 17-8 in favor of the Predators. They also won 63% of the faceoffs in the game’s opening period.

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The defense smothered Sidney Crosby, not giving him room to move early on. The crowd also covered him jeers. And the team covered the Pittsburgh Penguin offense well throughout the first period.

The Predators offense was silent in the first period. After an interference penalty from the Penguins’ Ian Cole, the Predators had their best chance to score denied as the penalty kill of Pittsburgh proved up to task. For the first time in Stanley Cup Final, the first period ended scoreless.

Goalies on point

The first score of the game came a minute and 26 seconds into the first. However, it was disallowed after the referee blew a whistle. He simply could not see the puck. Bad luck for the Predators, who were poised to take a lead. Another scoring chance presented itself after Penguins’ Conor Sheary. It was again killed.

The Penguins offense start to push play more after the penalty, getting 10 of the next 12 total shots. However, Colton Sissons intercepted the puck and brokeaway. Goalie Matthew Murray was up to the challenge, blocking the shot.

The second period closed with the Penguins taking more shots and finding openings in the Predators defense. Yet, Pekka Rinne stopped all 19 shots faced. Two periods in and no score. The stage for an epic finish was set.

How the game was won

Like the two opening periods, the frenetic play lead to zero goals. And, as before, the Nashville Predators power play was held at bay. For the third time in the game, the Predators failed to score on a 1-man advantage. Then came a brief, 32-second two-man advantage after Trevor Daley punched Ryan Ellis. Still, nothing. Murray was solid.

As we Rinne. But, as time drifted closer to zeros, one goal changed everything. Patric Hornqvist took advantage being in the right spot on a rebound, tapping the puck over the left shoulder of Rinne. It came with a minute and 35 seconds lefts in the game. The Penguins would add an empty netter for a 2-0 win.

As for the Predators, it was a highly contested performance, and one that we as fan are immensely proud. But, now, the page turns to the off-season.

Next: Nashville a destination city for free agents

Congrats to the Penguins on the win, but be on watch. The Nashville Predators will be back.